Coverage dated March 19, 2026 to March 26, 2026

With ceasefire proposal stalled, Trump faces uneasy military options in Iran

Headline from Christian Science Monitor, on the newest of 2 developments

President Donald Trump has extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks against its power plants. More U.S. troops are headed toward the region.

Christian Science Monitor's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

Mar 20, 2026
Iran’s shakedown in the strait
Headline from Washington Examiner ·
Mar 27, 2026Newest
With ceasefire proposal stalled, Trump faces uneasy military options in Iran
Headline from Christian Science Monitor ·

5 reports not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

14 articles, oldest first.

Al Jazeera
Iran does not need to close the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt it (opens Al Jazeera)
Published Mar 19, 2026
Al Jazeera's feed description
The real risk lies not in closure, but in disruption in the strait’s approaches.
The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: Iranian official claims strait of Hormuz open to all but ships of ‘enemy’ countries (opens The Guardian)
Published Mar 21, 2026
The Guardian's feed description
Iran has effectively closed strait by attacking ships and reportedly laying mines in the waterway, causing major crisis in global energy markets
Oil Price
Why Military Force May Not Be Enough to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz (opens Oil Price)
Published Mar 22, 2026
Oil Price's feed description
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz through asymmetric warfare that military force alone may not be able to reverse.
Washington Examiner
Iran’s shakedown in the strait (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Mar 23, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
Iran is seeking to tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz — not by closing it, but by reopening it and forcing countries to pay for passage
Al Jazeera
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an international crisis (opens Al Jazeera)
Published Mar 24, 2026
Al Jazeera's feed description
As such, it requires urgent action.
The Conversation US
Iran was always going to close the Strait of Hormuz (opens The Conversation US)
Published Mar 25, 2026
The Conversation US's feed description
Over neatly five decades, Tehran has threatened to close the waterway whenever faced with an international crisis.
The Conversation US
Iran has been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz for years – it’s a key part of Tehran’s defence strategy (opens The Conversation US)
Published Mar 25, 2026
The Conversation US's feed description
Iran has used its ability to close the waterway many times over the past 40 years.
Fox26 Houston
Iran latest: Israel to expand attack in Iran, Trump delays deadline for Strait of Hormuz (opens Fox26 Houston)
Published Mar 26, 2026
Fox26 Houston's feed description
President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s grip on the strait and relentless attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure have sent Brent crude, the international standard, up more than 40% since the war started.
Christian Science Monitor
With ceasefire proposal stalled, Trump faces uneasy military options in Iran (opens Christian Science Monitor)
Published Mar 26, 2026
Christian Science Monitor's feed description
President Donald Trump has extended a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks against its power plants. More U.S. troops are headed toward the region.
CNN
What we know on Day 28 of the US and Israel’s war with Iran: Trump extends deadline and global energy crisis deepens (opens CNN)
Published Mar 26, 2026
CNN's feed description
Citing ongoing peace talks, US President Donald Trump has for a second time extended his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – or face its power plants being “obliterated.”
NPR
Trump grants Iran another extension on a deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (opens NPR)
Published Mar 26, 2026
NPR's feed description
Citing ongoing talks with Iran, President Trump said on social media Thursday that he was delaying a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction of its power plants.
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Live updates: Trump delays Strait of Hormuz deadline as Israel strikes 'heart of Tehran' (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
Published Mar 26, 2026
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description
President Donald Trump delayed his threat to obliterate Iran’s energy plants over its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington Examiner
Iran says Strait of Hormuz still closed despite contrary reports (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Mar 26, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
The Iranian military said President Donald Trump made “false statements” that the Strait of Hormuz is open.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.